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On this blog, I always talk about how I didn’t read non-fiction books for a very long time because they felt so long and boring.
Now, I’ve been lucky to read some super narrative non-fiction books, and these are honestly some of the best.
That said, at the top of my list are always short non-fiction books – the kind that pack a punch in half the expected pages and are still just as awesome.
If this has ever been an issue for you, or you’re simply looking for quick non-fiction books to sink your teeth into, then check out my top recommendations.
Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics by Stephen Greenblatt
Pages: 224
This book felt like sitting in a cozy chair while someone wise gently explained how Shakespeare warned us about dangerous leaders.
Greenblatt shows how characters like Macbeth and Richard III help us understand the hunger for power and how it can wreck entire societies.
It’s amazing how these old plays still speak to us today.
I liked how clearly everything was laid out – it never felt boring.
If you’re curious about politics, power, or why history keeps repeating itself, this little book makes big ideas feel surprisingly easy to follow.
Can You Tolerate This? by Ashleigh Young
Pages: 256
This felt like reading someone’s diary – quiet, thoughtful, and full of heart.
Ashleigh shares her life in New Zealand through honest and sometimes funny essays.
She talks about growing up, body image, love, and figuring out who she is.
I loved how she made even small moments feel meaningful.
The stories about her brother, her struggles, and random odd facts somehow come together like puzzle pieces.
It’s not flashy – it’s soft and real, and I found myself thinking about my own life while reading.
This one is a gentle book for when you want to feel understood.
Night by Elie Wiesel
Pages: 165
This was a hard book to read, but one I’m so glad I did.
Elie Wiesel shares his story as a teenager during the Holocaust – how he survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald, and how it changed him forever.
His writing is simple but deeply powerful.
It’s about history, but it’s also about pain, loss, and remembering.
This book left me quiet for a while.
I think everyone should read it at least once, because we should never forget what happened.
It’s heartbreaking, but also a tribute to human strength and the need for hope.
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
Pages: 240
Thoreau believed that if something is wrong – like slavery or unfair wars – we shouldn’t just accept it.
Even if the government says it’s okay, we still have to listen to our hearts.
I liked how he didn’t shout; he simply explained why standing up for what’s right matters.
It’s not a loud book, but it’s strong.
I think it quietly pushes you to ask: What am I allowing by staying silent?
It’s a good reminder that change often starts with one person saying no.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Pages: 65
I loved this one – it’s short, clear, and straight from the heart.
Chimamanda talks about what feminism really means and how we can make the world fairer for everyone.
She shares her own life stories, especially from Nigeria, and they made me nod and smile and sometimes feel sad.
What I liked most is how warm her voice is – it’s not angry or preachy.
It just feels like a friend explaining something important.
I think everyone should read this, no matter who they are.
It opens your eyes in the gentlest, kindest way.
Difficult Women: A Memoir of Three by David Plante
Pages: 260
This book is quiet and strange, and full of complicated feelings.
Plante writes about three unforgettable women who were smart, intense, and not easy to love or understand.
These weren’t nice women – they were strong, fierce, and sometimes hard.
But they were also real and fascinating.
I liked how Plante didn’t try to fix them or explain them away. He just showed them as they were.
It made me think about the women in my life who don’t fit into neat boxes and how that’s not a bad thing at all.
Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard
Pages: 177
Reading this felt like wandering through the woods with someone who sees beauty in everything.
Dillard notices the tiniest details – stars, birds, silence – and writes about them in a way that feels magical.
It’s not always easy to follow, but it’s worth it.
I liked how she mixed nature with questions about life, faith, and mystery.
It made me want to slow down and just look around more.
This book reminded me that even the smallest moments can be full of wonder, if you’re paying attention.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Pages: 152
This book felt like a personal letter with deep honesty and love.
Coates writes to his son about what it means to grow up as a Black person in America.
He talks about history, racism, and fear but also hope, strength, and beauty.
I admired how open and emotional it was.
He doesn’t try to sugarcoat anything, but he also doesn’t lose sight of love.
I felt like I learned something real and important with every page.
Though he wrote this for his one, this book is for all of us, trying to make sense of a broken world.
Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard
Pages: 115
This little book packs a punch.
Mary Beard looks at how women have been pushed out of power for centuries and how that needs to change.
I loved how she used stories from history and myths (like Medusa!) to show how the problem isn’t new.
She also talks about her own experiences with sexism, especially online.
It made me think about how often women are told to be quiet or sit down, even now.
It’s a strong, smart, and slightly fierce book and it gave me a bit of fire in my chest after reading it.
Africa’s Tarnished Name by Chinua Achebe
Pages: 56
This short book made me proud and sad at the same time.
Achebe talks about how Africa has been misrepresented by the world and is often seen through the wrong lens, as if it has no voice.
He writes calmly but powerfully, and he asks us to listen to African stories told by Africans.
I liked how he gently pushed back against stereotypes to show the continent’s depth, beauty, and history.
It’s not loud, but it’s firm.
Reading this made me want to read more African authors and share their voices too.
It’s tiny but mighty and I’ve never been prouder to be a Nigerian.
So, tell me – do you think you’ll give any of these lovely short non-fiction books a chance?
Let me know in the comments below!
